Lightning Release + Water Release.
The fusion of these two chakra natures would create a new ability: Storm Release, a Kekkei Genkai.
It was said that such a Kekkei Genkai existed in the Land of Lightning, allowing lightning techniques, typically linear and direct, to curve and move at unexpected angles like flowing water.
Sakumo Hatake was undoubtedly a genius.
However, as a young boy, his chakra reserves were still limited by his age and physical condition. He also favored practicing kenjutsu (swordsmanship) over working on chakra nature transformations, making his attempts at mastering this complex skill rather clumsy.
Fortunately, Shigen was an excellent teacher.
As a ninja who had mastered all chakra nature transformations and understood the essence of chakra itself, teaching someone to control and combine Lightning and Water Release was an easy task for him.
Unlike other ninja instructors, Shigen used a direct chakra transmission method to guide Sakumo, helping him gradually adapt to the two chakra natures.
Of course, this method carried significant risks.
In most cases, uncontrolled chakra transmission could cause harm to the human body, but for Shigen, resolving such minor issues was mere child's play.
Sakumo's progress in training was rapid, though achieving a true Kekkei Genkai was far more complex. However, simply mastering Lightning and Water chakra natures within this short period was an extraordinary feat, even if it occasionally earned him disapproving looks from a certain small observer.
"I'm not happy!"
Tsunade huffed, pouting as she watched Sakumo train. Still struggling to fully grasp the basics of Yang Release, she couldn't help but grumble, "Why can't I be a genius like Hatake-senpai?"
"The conditions for becoming a medical ninja are far more demanding," Shigen noted, sensing her frustration. His tone turned slightly stern as he added, "Tsunade, as the future's greatest medical ninja, your natural talent is already exceptional."
"Really? Hahaha…"
Tsunade's sour mood instantly vanished, and she grinned brightly, reminiscent of her late grandfather, Hashirama Senju.
"…"
Sakumo privately thought Shigen spoiled Tsunade a bit too much, treating her with excessive favoritism while being far stricter with the rest of them.
Late at Night
On one particularly taxing night, a large number of critically injured patients were sent to the hospital.
By the time the first rays of sunlight streamed into the hospital's corridors, Shigen finally had a moment to sit down on a bench. He carefully began recording the day's cases in his medical scrolls, his expression as calm and focused as ever.
"Good news arrived from the frontlines today," Sakumo remarked, his face showing a rare glimmer of excitement. "The Second Hokage led our forces to defeat the Sand Village's army, forcing them to sign a treaty…"
The tide of war seemed to be turning in Konoha's favor.
Tobirama's decisive victory over the Sand Village had significantly boosted the morale of Konoha's shinobi. Their swift and overwhelming success against the Sand forces reaffirmed Konoha's position as the strongest ninja village in the world.
Even though the First Hokage had passed on…
The will of fire continued to burn brightly in Konoha's ninjas, driving them to protect the village Hashirama had built.
"If you're not too tired yet…"
Shigen didn't appear to share in the excitement of the war news. Glancing at the scroll he was filling, then at Tsunade sleeping soundly beside him on the bench, he quietly instructed the white-haired boy, "Go fetch me a few blank scrolls from my office. Don't wake Tsunade."
"Yes, sir."
Sakumo immediately vanished with a flicker, eager to assist.
Still, the boy's excitement lingered as he darted off.
Konoha as a whole was abuzz with triumph and confidence.
The Second Hokage's Concerns
While the village basked in optimism, Tobirama Senju's thoughts were far more tempered.
Unlike most shinobi, who only needed to follow orders and fight with all their might, the Hokage had to consider the war's broader consequences.
As the Second Hokage, Tobirama bore the immense weight of leading Konoha through the First Shinobi World War. Although his victory against the Sand Village had alleviated some of that burden, it was only a temporary reprieve.
On his return journey from the Sand frontlines, having compelled the Sand Village to sign a peace treaty, Tobirama traveled to the northern borders of the Land of Fire. Along the way, he reviewed battle reports and observed the recovery rates of injured shinobi.
"If only…"
Tobirama sighed as he flipped through a report from Konoha Hospital.
He marveled at the staggering effectiveness of Shigen, the reincarnated medic whose tireless efforts had saved countless lives. If only he had devised the Edo Tensei technique during the Warring States Era to summon Shigen back, perhaps the Senju Clan's casualties could have been drastically reduced.
What an invaluable asset Shigen was.
In his current state as an immortal Edo Tensei body, Shigen could work without rest, performing surgeries non-stop for 24 hours straight. He could complete a complex operation in less than 30 minutes, rescuing one critically injured patient after another.
It was a little shameful to admit, but Tobirama had no qualms about exploiting Shigen's unique situation if it meant protecting Konoha. After all, safeguarding Hashirama's legacy was his utmost priority.
"Shigen is truly remarkable," Tobirama muttered, glancing over another report. "To think he's saved so many, even while remaining behind the lines…"
"That being said, Shigen likely wouldn't agree to move to the frontlines," Sarutobi Hiruzen, still a young man, commented thoughtfully. Scratching his head, he added, "I heard he wasn't too happy when the war started. He's never been a fan of conflict between ninjas…"
"Not necessarily."
Danzo Shimura, Hiruzen's ever-competitive counterpart, interjected with a differing opinion.
Danzo had distinguished himself on the battlefield, often clashing with Hiruzen as both sought to prove their worth. In this war, Danzo relied heavily on the cursed seal Shigen had given him, using its ability to convert natural energy into chakra to become a fearsome force on the battlefield.
"Shigen only sees the war from Konoha Hospital," Danzo argued, his tone sharp. "If we bring him to the frontlines and show him the reality of the war—the mountains of corpses, the suffering he could alleviate—he might reconsider his stance. He could save even more lives and help us achieve victory faster!"
Hiruzen frowned, uneasy about the suggestion.
While Danzo's reasoning wasn't entirely wrong, Hiruzen couldn't help but feel that forcing Shigen into such a role would tarnish the respect and goodwill Konoha had worked to build with him.
"Shigen despises war," Hiruzen pointed out. "We shouldn't exploit his kindness for something he fundamentally opposes. We owe him that much respect."
Danzo scoffed. "Respect won't win this war. If convincing Shigen to help means invoking peace as our goal, then so be it. His abilities could save hundreds of squads from annihilation!"
The debate between the two escalated until Tobirama silenced them with a raised hand.
"You two," Tobirama began, his voice heavy with authority. "Take a look at this."
He handed them a battle report that had just arrived.
"The sensory unit has detected over 4,000 enemy forces gathering near the northern borders," Tobirama said grimly. His face darkened, his worry evident. "The Iwagakure forces outnumber us several times over…"
"What?!"
Koharu Utatane, another member of the Hokage's guard, stared in disbelief.
Konoha had barely managed to muster 1,000 troops to defend the northern borders. Facing an army that large was almost unthinkable.
"It's not surprising," Hiruzen said, his tone somber. "The Land of Earth is vast, its terrain naturally defensible. Unlike us, they haven't suffered as much from past wars. Their population and resources allow them to field armies of this size…"
"And they have fewer concerns about protecting their borders," Hiruzen continued. "They can devote almost all their forces to the war effort. They may even deploy their Kekkei Genkai users to the frontlines…"
The tent fell into a heavy silence.
This wasn't a battle they could win easily.
Danzo seized the moment, his tone resolute. "If we want to avoid catastrophic losses, we must use Shigen's power to its fullest potential!"
Hiruzen, however, still hesitated. "We need Shigen's trust. If we resort to manipulation, we could lose his support altogether. We should approach him with honesty—appeal to his desire for peace…"
And so, the matter remained unresolved, with Tobirama silently weighing their arguments.
For now, the looming threat of Iwagakure hung heavy over Konoha, as did the decision of how to involve Shigen in the war effort.
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Powerstones?
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